[Closed] Any better steel LT HT than an DB Alpine

oh and i've had a 456!

www.demonframeworks.com will build you something special if you ask nicely 🙂

Blue Pig and a PA would be worth a look as well. The Alpine is designed to be ridden in the Alps, so if you are just doing XC over here with some jumps and drops the PA might be a better bet.

Newer not much changed Alpines on the way soon. Mine sometimes feels a bit flexy at the back on offcamber stuff but I spose it gives it some comfort. Apart from that geometry is spot on for both long days out or wanging it around woodland.

(anyone wants to swap their grey 17/23 for my 17/22 ?)

Scruff, it's metallic black, not grey!

New frames are now on the ship and heading this way. Still taking pre-orders until the end of this month (saving of £50).

I like my Orange p7, is it better? Dunno, worth a try though.

A friends P7 with similar bits its definately heavier than my Alpine (Pike's,RF Atlas,Bulbs etc)

ta all, i think i'm going to need a bit more then the PA,

Mike, are there any test bikes near Sheffield?

I really like my 456 Summer Edition. Never ridden a Dialled or P7 though.
And recently, about a month ago, I fell in love with my Marin HT. Old, cheap, built on a very small budget, rides great, esp. as a singlespeed with DH mud tyres.

swiss tony - i've just sent you an email

the p7 is more cross country orientated?...

swisstony, no demo bikes in shops near Sheffield as despite Sheffield being where I'm from originally and a lot of my 4X team living there, no shops have ever contacted me about becoming dealers. Should be a fair few Alpine owners in that area though. Maybe someone will see this thread and offer you a go on theirs.

One thing to note is the new Alpines are sized differently to the previous batch. New sizes are 16" w/22.25" top tube and 18" w/23.25" TT.

how about a .243 fr?

Cereal, mine is sparkley grey.

mike-at-dialledbikes:

New frames are now on the ship and heading this way.

Any PAs on that boat Mike? As still thinking of getting one now my riding is less 'gnarlcore'.

*heads off to do another 40m XC ride on his alpine *

define LT.
do you want it to be better than the alpine, or just better value?

whats your opinion of good value? simply low cost or something else.
as mike says above, the alpine is even cheaper if you make your mind up pronto.

130mm+ steel hardtails have been covered to death on here, the orange transam looked nice (US only iirc) Chromag do some nice stuff. More than one Evil Sov fan on here too.

No Jamie, afraid not. Next batch of Prince Albert frames won't be for a while (hopefully Q1 or Q2 2010) - need to shift some BMX frames, Love/Hates and Alpines to fund them.

I've got an Alpine in Leeds. Think it's a 15.5/22, it's purple. You are welcome to try it (Fox 36 Talas, big tyres type of build).

timsellors@googlemail[dot]com

You would have to do the running around, fetching etc as I am notoriously unreliable at making rides and have umpteen other things to do. But a borrow is fine 😎

Hmmmm, Evil Sov and Transition TransAm. Nice.

did you not yet find a way to own the TransAm?

Cotic Bfe?

I love my Blue Pig...
[url= http://flowmtb.posterous.com/ragley-blue-pig-update-0 ]piggy[/url]

And am sure the Alpine is wicked as well.. just Mike didn't have any when I was in need 🙁

LT is 140mm plus, i've got pikes to go on but i've also got lyrics on another bike which may find their way onto the new frame.

As for good value, i think up to £350 is plenty to spend on/charge for a HT so that definately rules out the Evil Sov which i think you must be bonkers to pay full price for and puts the Bfe on the outskirts (sorry Cy)

I hadn't seen the Trans Am but they look very nice indeed, just need to find the price.

They sell direct, so its $716.94 including shipping and duty

thanks flow, i hadn't looked at those, i'll read your review but i'll need convincing why to spend twice the price of a 456 on one of those?

because two times not very much isn't very much either...?

I've got an Alpine it is a great bike to own, does all day rides, does technical rides, is nice a for a short blast and above all else is a heap of fun to ride.

The Trans Am may have jostled it's way to Number 1! they do look very nice mmmmmmm

because two times not very much isn't very much either...?

Class! Nice one - great logic at work there.

swisstony - it might look better but does it ride better you can't see it once your on it and moving 🙂

did you discount the curtis freeride?
http://www.curtisbikes.co.uk/freeride.html

bump

71 Head Angle with a 150 fork on that curtis! 😯

Must feel fun with a bit of sag dialled in....

Who's distributing Transition in the UK these days?

Nobody, I think they have given up with UK importers and sell direct.

dont think anyone is.

[s]be quite surprised if there is a transam over this side of the pond[/s], despite the interest it generates.

[edited following a quick google]

Alpine is my opinion, not that i'm biased you understand.

good VFM, well built, not too heavy, and ride/handle very well.

and they now come in Kwaker green

In fact mines on the back of the car ready for a play at Farleton Knott tonight.

check out dirt mag videos,they av one of the trans am being ridden

Curtis Freeride, mine rides great with a pike set at 140mm

Personally I would get an Alpine if you want slacker angles than a PA, but the PA is pretty good with Pike's on as I think thats pretty much the standard build, and I am fairly sure no one has broken one yet (Mike can confirm) even when 4X racing, and casing everything trying to break one.

For the Money that the Evil and Transition go for a Curtis has be a better bet as you can tweak the angles and TT, plus it comes with free frame repair for life it you do manage to knacker it somehow.

Cotic's at nearly £500 seem to be just too much money now.

If you aren't tied to steel the mmmBop looks like it could be very good, and 2lbs lighter than equivalent steel frames is a shedload of weight.